Word on the Street: Stop blaming Bartman

Word on the Street: Stop blaming Bartman

Could a late-night party have contributed to the Chicago Cubs playoff loss of 2003? According to Radaronline, a woman revealed she spent the night drinking and partying with three unnamed Cubs players until 4 a.m. the night before Game 7.

She revealed this information during a casting interview for the tentatively titled reality show "Cleat Chasers," which profiles baseball groupies. (RadarOnline.com)
Maine South football program placed on probation

The IHSA placed 2010 8A State Champion Maine South on probation following the organization's probe into violations that included the use of counterfeit sideline passes at the state final game and failure to follow the rules on the number of coaches allowed on the field and in the press box.

Head coach Dave Inserra and assistant Rick Magsamen have been suspended for the 2011 season opener. The IHSA also said that Maine South will not be able to host IHSA postseason events "until demonstrating compliance with IHSA playoff policies." (YourSeason.com)

New York Post features 'Return of the Jet-I' cover

The New York Post went for a Star Wars theme to honor the New York Jets playoff stand. On the cover of their 16-page special playoff section, the Jets are portrayed as members of the Rebel Alliance, while the Patriots are cast as the evil Empire. Bill Belichick is cast as Darth Vader, Rex Ryan as Han Solo, and Mark Sanchez as Luke Skywalker. (New York Post)

Young players added to All-American list after 'oversight'

Five Young basketball players were left off of the McDonald's All-American announcement on Thursday. Executive director of the program Robert Geoghan called the absence of the five Division I-bound players from the list "an oversight."

The players will be added to the list on Monday. Geoghan said he has encountered similar situations many times before and mentioned that Young's players were not the only ones left out because they could not be verified. (Chicago Tribune)

SportsTalk Live Podcast: Toews still out, Bulls pull out win over Spurs

SportsTalk Live Podcast: Toews still out, Bulls pull out win over Spurs

Latest White Sox Talk

At one point, it was looking like Lucas Giolito could be headed to the White Sox in exchange for Chris Sale.

But when Sale was dealt to the Boston Red Sox, Giolito's name was in the clear of rumors — until 29 hours later, when the Nationals' top prospect would be headed to Chicago in a different trade, which sent outfielder Adam Eaton to Washington.

“It’s kind of like the world we live in now. Social media is always out there and everything is on Twitter,” Giolito said in a conference call Friday. “I saw my name being mentioned on Twitter for Chris Sale. I know with the winter meetings all sorts of stuff being thrown around. I was just trying to focus on what I’m doing in this offseason which is lifting and all my workouts. Kind of just whatever happens, happens.

“It’s funny that Sale ended up going to the Red Sox and something else happens that I’m going to the White Sox now with a couple teammates. It’s really interesting stuff but I’m super excited.”

In addition, the White Sox received Reynaldo Lopez — who Giolito has played with since 2014 — and the Nationals' 2016 first-round pick Dane Dunning.

"I definitely think it’s amazing to be coming over to the White Sox with a bunch of young talent," Giolito said. "I think it’s a great opportunity for us to all develop and get better and hopefully put a really good team together in Chicago. Definitely excited to be coming over with a couple guys from my previous organization."

Giolito went 6-5 with a 2.97 ERA and 1.28 WHIP across three minor-league levels this past season. He admitted his mechanics weren't quite in sync and is looking to improve on that.

"Sometimes things get out of whack. I believe I let too much get out of whack last year," Giolito said. "So this year with my training program I have in this offseason — lifting and Pilates and everything — I’m just trying to make sure that I can stay as athletic as possible so I’m able to repeat the right delivery more often. Once I start playing catch and doing bullpens and everything these next few weeks, right before spring training, I’m going to make sure I put that all together so I can repeat my delivery as best as possible."

His struggles continued when he got to The Show.

In his major-league debut on June 28, Giolito held the New York Mets to just one hit over four scoreless innings before a rain delay cut his night short. That turned out to be his most effective outing of the season as he finished the year with an 0-1 record, 6.75 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in six games with the Nationals, four of them being starts.

"(My MLB debut) didn’t go as well as I would’ve liked it to go, obviously, as you look at the numbers and everything," he said, "but I feel that with the White Sox now (and) getting traded and everything, it’s kind of like a fresh opportunity and a new start to get up to the big leagues again and contribute and do everything I can to stay there as well."

Despite his low numbers, the 22-year-old Giolito believes he's ready to play on the White Sox main roster as soon as next season.

"I’ve had some experience in the big leagues last year," Giolito said. "Especially last year, I took a lot positives away because I did experience such a good amount of failure in a lot of I’d say like hardship when I made it up and didn’t perform up to what I believe is my best capabilities.

"I’ve pitched a good amount of innings in the minor leagues and I’ve had a little experience in the big leagues so I’m just really looking forward to making it up in the big leagues with the White Sox and contributing as soon as possible."